The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-07-07

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ring selection by the brass band, after
which OBJ. W. II. Stovsll introduced
Gen. Walthall as follows:
LADIES AND GKNTLRhKN-The Com.
mittee Of Arrangements have placed
upon me the pleasing duty OF intro
ducing to You the eminent gentleman
who will address You today. II is a
duty all the more pleasing TO me be-
cause he lie the first public man from
The interior OF the State who has ever
paid Us the compliment OF a visit, and
because he 10 man who, at all times
and place., In the private and profes.
sional wake Cf life, on the floor OF the
Senate aud on the battle field, shed
luster upon our State. He will address
you upon the political issues Of the
day, State aud national. l will add
that his coming has no Significance
whatever with references TO the local
troubles VIII oh nov unhappily con.
vulse our county. . have the honor
10 introduce Senator T.. O. Walthall, Of
Mississippi"
SENATOR wALTHALL's SPEECH.
Applause greeted the distinguished
Senator upon his appearance, and
after IL had subsidized lie began his adj.
dress by thanking the gentleman for
his words OF welcome, the people for
assembling 10 hear him, and also for
the interest plainly noticeable on
every countenancs. IL was the frat
time he had ever enjoyed the priv.
lege OF addfe sing the inhabitants Of
the Mississippi delta, one Of the most
fertile sections Of the globe. Senator
Wslthall then proceeded:
"A few years ago men speculated on
the possibilities Of this wonderful
Delta region, but now results then
deemed but possible are fast becoming
actual realities, far surprising what
the most sanguine then predicted. A
great trunk line railroad, once looked
upon as a visionary project, has be-
come one OF the permanent institu.
tons of this valley, aud your admira.
BILE levee system, after q varying ex.
perience al failure and sucoee. has st
last met the highest eIpec,sfions Of
It's most ardent advocates. The rail.
road, bscked up by strong Influences
and vast wealth, IL an important link
10 q great tausconiinenial transporia.
ton line, which was made ecessary
by tho requirements OF both local aud
general trade; and In Il you have a
powerful and permanent ally 10 all
your endeavors for the protection
aud development Of this great valley.
Especially nave You the benefit Of its
influence and power n ipe support
and flrtherance OF your lsvee system
in the success Of which the Interests
Of those who own the lands and pro.
duce the crops, In shared by thoee who
transport 10 market the products Of
the soil. But for all this you need,
and you ought 20 have, and | believe
yOu will have, the continued incident
al benefits arising from the policy Of
improving the great rivers which
washes your western border, 70 which
the general government by It's past
action, aud the present Democratic
administration, by its pledges, seem 10
be thoroughly committed.
"ln view OF the failure OF The river
and harbor bill, In which This i'm.
provement is the leading feature, at
the last fession Of Congress, 10 become
q law, for want Of the Presidents Gig.
nature, the statement Just made may
seem TO require some explanation;
and al II will be seen In the course OF
my remarks that ] am now, ~ / was
before this bill failed, q warm sup.
porter OF the President and his admin.
istiation, II Ia proper that I should
give my reasons for the opinion I have
expressed upon this subject u prime
importance 10 the peopls here who
have done me the honor 10 inyite mo
10 address them. DisclAiming any
purpose, or the sllehtest authority 10
spt Ak for the President, whose private
views | have no means Of knowing
and TO desire 10 know, and without
any intimalion from him or any OF his
advisers AZ 10 his private opinions or
purposes, except such 40 any tpan nere
can deduce, as well ne /, from the facts
OF the case, and from what / consider
his obligations and committals, / un.
heeitatingly say 10 you ~ matter Of
dispassionate opinion that Mr.. Gave.
land is not and consistently cannot be
hostile 10 the improvement OF the
Mississippi river by means OF appro.
priations Of money by the general gov.
eminent. He may prove 50, but he
has not done II yet, and when lac does
will he time enough for me 10 modify
my present high estimate OF him
which was formed from his character,
his public declarations and bis ofiicial
acts.
with these In mind, feel that can
Justify my opinion that he IL no, un.
friendly TO great project a national
concern, Tor which there IL no lack OF
Argument or precedent, aud 10 which
he seems olssrly committed by the
platform on which he was nomIn aled
and elected, and by his own unhls-
taxable declarations In his letter Of
acceptance.
1.-THE Mississippi river is the creates,
higway OF commerce. on this continent.
Both science and experience have
long sgo shown pnlete the iorcfs Of the
stream can be no conhoed aud di.
tec,ed as TO keep open and cut deeper
i's own channel thAt by the diffusion
Of its own waters II will partially de-.
stfoy its own value for the purpofe II
navigation, aud az a oonseq uenee will
keep this fertile valley under a con.
slant threat Of inundation. These
iace, thus very briefly stated, are in
form in fall, and come from
high official sources, and on the faith
oi hem the general government has